Libraries cash crisis
A FULL investigation into the Wakefield libraries' cash crisis has been launched after one library was closed and others were forced to lock up early.
Council leader Peter Box has demanded council officers find out the facts surrounding the sudden closure of Middlestown Library.
Its doors were closed after librarians were redeployed due to staff shortages within the entire service after their cash flow ran dry.
And a meeting is set for today between council officers and volunteers who have stepped forward to staff the library in the short term.
Coun Box told the Express: "Obviously, I am concerned about the situation regarding Middlestown Library and I am arranging for full details to be obtained. I shall then be speaking to the chief executive of the council with a view to ensuring that this kind of thing cannot happen again.
"I am especially concerned about the way it was done and local members will be kept informed of key developments with regard to the situation and the local people they represent."
And another local library, this time in Horbury, has been forced to close early due to cut-backs, which saw The Friends of Carr Lodge Park group left out in the cold after arriving for their meeting last Wednesday.
Coun John Sharpe said: "It's still open through the day, but not after hours when community groups need it. I was told the closure was because they don't have the staff coverage and because of the overtime ban and funding crisis."
Following the temporary closure at Middlestown, local councillors have secured alternative library services for concerned residents who came out in force last week to protest against the closure.
Councillors Bryan Denson and June Drysdale met with council officials this week and now a fortnightly library bus will visit the area from March 1, calling at Ramsey Crescent, Middlestown, from 11am.
And Coun Denson said: "We have been assured that the closure was only temporary due to staffing and financial issues and is set to reopen in April, but that's too far away.
"We are now meeting with eight local volunteers and if this plan goes through, the building could reopen within days."
Coun Denson is also looking towards existing community buildings to provide library facilities in the future to help stop a repeat of the current situation. He added: "I spoke to the scrutiny officer and we're going to add a paragraph into the extended schools programme report concerning libraries. The bottom line is if there's the possibility of tagging library provisions on to schools and other community facilities in the future, we will explore that."
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Weather for Wakefield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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